Colin Watson Is DEAD....UK Birds Celebrating

[Polecat]

The Times

He fell from a Tree whilst trying get sparrowhawk eggs.

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Polecat

The Times

He fell from a Tree whilst trying get sparrowhawk eggs.

Well he fell from a tree..........not confirmed he was trying to get the eggs but i suppose thats what he did for a living.

There is a long thread about this on Bird Forum which started to get out of hand with people making light of his death.

[Polecat]

I did try to edit after I posted......I realise I made a mistake....It was the nest he was after....and for what purpose isn't clear.

I wouldn't want this thread to go the same way Mark.......just heads-up really. No more comment from me......I'll keep my thoughts on the news to myself!

[nightshade]

Although his activeties,may not have met with approval it brought about changes and united people in a cause no life is a total waste

[Jonny]

Why could he of not of got his eggs in tesco, like the rest of us ? It would of been safer................Jon

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Polecat

I did try to edit after I posted......I realise I made a mistake....It was the nest he was after....and for what purpose isn't clear.

I wouldn't want this thread to go the same way Mark.......just heads-up really. No more comment from me......I'll keep my thoughts on the news to myself!

I don't believe it would for one minute Polecat.

I suppose when you think about the bird lives he has destoyed over the years then it's probably not surprising that people have "opinions" on the guy but even so it wasn't particularly nice to see people saying they were glad he got killed.

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Jonny

Why could he of not of got his eggs in tesco, like the rest of us ? It would of been safer................Jon

Trust you

[John]

Originally Posted by Mark43

I don't believe it would for one minute Polecat.

I suppose when you think about the bird lives he has destoyed over the years then it's probably not surprising that people have "opinions" on the guy but even so it wasn't particularly nice to see people saying they were glad he got killed.

That's one of the reasons I haven't got involved with the Birdforum thread. Hopefully the WAB members will be a lot more mature with their responses.

For me it does sadden me when a life is taken away so cheaply. No matter what you think of the person no one should wish, or rejoice, in the death of that person.

John

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by John

For me it does sadden me when a life is taken away so cheaply. No matter what you think of the person no one should wish, or rejoice, in the death of that person.

John

My sentiments too John - aside from what he may or may not have done re birds eggs he was still a fellow human being who would have had family that have now tragically lost their loved one.

[Alan]

I'm ashamed to say that I was once into egging, but thankfully I grew out of this hobby at a very early age - I'm sure there are many other 'ex' eggers on WAB that feel the same way! Back when I was a kid it was just taken for granted as one of the things to do, a bit like fishing and playing football and stuff.

This kind of imature or rather sensless behaviour that continues into adulthood always takes me as being a kind of mental disorder, that people simply don't grow out of. It's addictive I suppose.

I agree with previous comments, that the celebration of a death is not the way to go.

[arvensis]

Sorry if I'm a bit stupid, but why would anyone want to collect eggs anyway... strikes me as a bit odd.

40ft up a tree to apparently take pictures, I can't quite believe that myself.

Mark

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by arvensis

Sorry if I'm a bit stupid, but why would anyone want to collect eggs anyway... strikes me as a bit odd.

40ft up a tree to apparently take pictures, I can't quite believe that myself.

Mark

I cannot understand either, as they say, "nowt more queer than folk"................Jon

[Het]

Of course no death should be taken lightly, but the fact that he was a serial nest raider and this happened when he was in the process of yet another raid, something illegal and of course very distasteful, its not surprising that people have the 'what goes round, comes round' view. The man had done this many times before and knew the risks, his death was on his own shoulders, however sad.

[flying red fox]

Iam a very friendly person and wouldnt wish anyone dead even if they did to bad things, with the exception of Al Qeada of course!

Its very sad that he died this way and although he was evil doing this to rare bird species, he probably didnt deserve to die like that even though its easy to think so that way.

We all get our comeuppance when we do something wrong so maybe it happened to him this way but accidents can happen anywhere even if the circumstances look familiar.

Sorry iam sort of in the middle on this one as i dont want to get flamed for either side!

[eeyore]

I wouldn't wish anyone dead as I agree that all loss of life is a waste, but I was very happy to see that the police have nicked Greg Wheal (again !!) for egging - shame they dont do life sentences for eggers

[grouse]

Colin Watson was the nicest man anyone could meet! His knowledge of U.K. bird life was second to none!
Whilst his record of 'Egging' castrated him from most wildlife forums or media, his knowledge and love of British wildlfe outshined many uk presenters!

[John]

Originally Posted by grouse

Colin Watson was the nicest man anyone could meet! His knowledge of U.K. bird life was second to none!
Whilst his record of 'Egging' castrated him from most wildlife forums or media, his knowledge and love of British wildlfe outshined many uk presenters!

Hi Grouse and a warm welcome to WAB

Thanks for your insight to the other side of Colin but whilst I don't want to fan the flames of persecution I can't help pulling you up on one point. If the man was so in love with wildlife why did he steal eggs from endangered species, thereby possibly making them more endangered.

John

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by grouse

Colin Watson was the nicest man anyone could meet! His knowledge of U.K. bird life was second to none!
Whilst his record of 'Egging' castrated him from most wildlife forums or media, his knowledge and love of British wildlfe outshined many uk presenters!

I fully agree with your right to express your opinion grouse but I am afraid I do not agree with it. I once had the misfortune to catch colin in the act at a peregrines nest - his response to my polite request that he get down was a volley of four letter words that Stu would not thank me for putting up on here.

I'm not really sure you meant to say castrated btw - but that is pretty much what I had in mind after the encounter

As to his knowledge and love of british wildlife, I have to agree with john, if he knew so much about it he must have known the harm he was causing and thus if he loved it so much why didnt he stop ?

All this not withstanding I am still sorry that he is dead and express my sympathy to his freinds and family.

[Boddie]

I never knew the man but consider him a wrong 'un. I think the phrase 'what goes round' fits nicely. Shame for his family that his selfish actions cost them so much.

[Oy]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I never knew the man but consider him a wrong 'un. I think the phrase 'what goes round' fits nicely. Shame for his family that his selfish actions cost them so much.

Nicely summised that man!